Elfstedentocht

The Alvestêdetocht ( Frisian for Eleven Cities Tour, Dutch Elfstedentocht, translated, Eleven Cities Tour ') is the most important natural ice endurance race in speed skating. It takes place in a harsh winter in the Dutch province of Fryslân on frozen canals, rivers and lakes along the eleven Frisian cities with historical city status and attracts up to 17,000 runners and 1.5 million spectators. Since the first Alvestêdetocht in 1909 so far was the "Tour of Tours" due to climatic conditions are carried out only five times, most recently in 1997.

Route

Over frozen canals and small lakes which nearly 200 km long distance from the channel Zwette in Leeuwarden leads clockwise about ten other Frisian cities and the village Bartlehiem a turning point in Dokkum and then back to Ljouwert, for Bonke channel.

By 1933, and in 1941 the line was run counterclockwise.

Organization

A Alvestêdetocht can only take place when the ice thickness along the entire route is at least 15 cm. Maybe the ice is amplified at some critical points by implantation of ice sheets.

Organizer of the event is the "Die Frisian eleven cities " (Dutch: Koninklijke Vereniging De Friese elf Steden ). Only members of this Association may participate in the tour. The approximately 16,000 starting places are largely drawn among the members. These members have in every second winter, the right to participate in the Alvestêdetocht, provided it takes place. In addition to the drawn runners has some of the members who have 1986 member of the club were right to start. In addition, the winners of the last three Alvestêdetochten at the 16th edition have this speed skating race start right. The starting right is not transferable.

There are two categories of participants: lovers ( " toertochtriders " ) and competitive athlete ( " wedstriidriders "). Started group is already from the early hours of the morning, starting with the race runners.

Students who have completed the Alvestêdetocht in full length and reaches the destination before midnight, gets the Alvestêdekrús, a medal in the shape of a Maltese cross handed.

History

Unofficial Tours, there were already in the 18th and 19th centuries. Officially 15 Eleven Cities tours have been conducted:

Despite the cold wave in Europe in 2012, there was no tour in February 2012.

Even during the time of the German occupation of the Netherlands the tour twice (1941 and 1942) took place.

(*) Jan van der Hoorn, Aad de Koning, Jeen Nauta, Anton Verhoeven and mouse Wijnhout ran contrary to the rules, arm in arm, the first across the finish line. Therefore, no winner was recognized in 1956.

Importance

The importance of Alvestêdetocht in the Netherlands can hardly be overestimated. The Alvestêdetocht is not only a very popular real event, but also a national myth. It is also " the tour of the trips " called ( fy.: daughter of Tochten: daughter fan de Tochten, nl). Once it freezes for several days in a winter, is discussed in the media about a new edition of the event. The Royal Netherlands Meteorological Service ( KNMI ) keeps a dossier on his website up to date and published extensive model calculations on the expected ice thickness in the following days. Send broadcasters outside reporter to the channels to report about the increase in ice thickness. For accommodation establishments, restaurants and the tourism industry in Friesland the Alvestêdetocht is an important economic factor.

Trivia

• Since climatic conditions for Alvestêdetocht be rare, an alternative Alvestêdetocht was established, which will be held annually since 1989 in January on the Weissensee in Carinthia.
• In 1986, the present King Willem- Alexander attended the Elfstedentocht, under the allonym WA van Buren.
• In other sports, there are races or tours along the eleven Frisian cities: Since 1912, a bike ride ( Alvestêdetocht op de fyts ) exists on Whit Monday ( today ) 15,000 participants
• Since 1946, a five-day hike ( Alvestêdekuiertocht ) is performed in the Ascension week
• Since 1985, every year there in May as a Alvestêde Roeimarathon designated rowing regatta